Durham returned to pre-season training yesterday optimistic about the season ahead despite a double setback.

Neither of the county's two overseas players, batsman Martin Love and strike bowler Dewald Pretorious, will feature when the 2003 season gets under way next month.

And the Riverside outfit could also lose the services of paceman Steve Harmison for long periods if, as expected, the 23-year- old is given an England central contract.

Top runmaker Love will not arrive in England until May 17 after the Queenslander was selected to tour the West Indies with Australia.

Love will miss the opening two championship matches against Gloucestershire and Worcestershire and three one-day games.

Former South Northumberland pro Pretorious, however, will be available after the champioship opener at the Riverside.

"It would have been preferable to have a full squad available for the start of the season," admitted coach Martyn Moxon.

"But the nature of modern cricket inevitably impacts on the domestic scene and most other counties will be affected."

Durham have drafted in India's record limited overs wicket taker, Javagal Srinath, to cover for Love.

The 33-year-old opening bowler will have a brief rest following Sunday's World Cup final before flying to England on April 20.

Durham, meanwhile, are waiting to see if Harmison becomes the latest of England's centrally contracted players.

"If Steve gets the nod then it will obviously be a disadvantage on the field for Durham," added Moxon, "but while finances will probably dictate, he did his chances no harm with his performances in Australia."

Moxon has signed a new contract that will keep him at the Riverside until the end of the 2006 campaign.

"I've enjoyed my two years at Durham and want to see the job through," said Moxon.

Paul Collingwood, has been appointed Durham's vice-captain with opener Jon Lewis continuing as skipper.